Driving at work
Wherever your employees are whilst driving vehicles on company business, they are at work, so their workplace can be in the cab of a vehicle, on a road, at a client's property, or on top of or inside the vehicle. Clearly this type of work activity can expose them to considerable risk of injury.
Businesses and organisations need to recognise that the road is fast becoming an extension of the workplace. Wherever your employees are driving on company business, whether in a car, van or LGV, they are at work. Accordingly you have legal obligations, primarily under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the safety of your employees (and indeed non-employees).
In addition, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require you as an employer, to produce 'suitable and sufficient' risk assessments with appropriate controls in order to prevent accidents through driving at work.
Under the new Corporate and Homicide Manslaughter Act 2008, if you employ five or more people you are now required to have a Driving for Work Policy.
The Staffordshire County Council Road Safety and Sustainable Travel Unit have developed a pack to assist businesses in the development of their Health and Safety Policy.
Employers who may require assistance in developing a new Health and Safety Policy to fulfil the requirements of the Health and Safety Executive should telephone: 01785 276617 or email: roadsafety@staffordshire.gov.uk or visit our website: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/transport/roadsafety